Somaliland: Human Right Body Appeals for Prisoner Release

Somalilandsun – The Horn of Africa Human Rights Watch Committee (HornWatch) is gravely concerned about the continuation of denying access to medical treatment for prisoner Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi in Somaliland. According to the direct statement he told to one human rights researcher visited him in Hargeisa Central Prison yesterday, he was subjected to severe

To: Mohamed Caraale Duur

Minister of Interior

Hargeisa, Somaliland

To: Chairman Supreme Court of Justice

Hargeisa, Somaliland

To: Commander of Somaliland Custodial Crops

Hargeisa, Somaliland

Cc: Standing Committees, Guurti and House of Representatives

Cc: House Sub Committee on Human Rights

Cc: H. E. Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud

Madaxwaynaha Jamhuuriyada Somaliland

Xarunta Madaxtooyada JSL

Urgent HR Violation Appeal Alert:

The life of Somaliland prisoner is in danger after three and half years of detention without any charges

The Horn of Africa Human Rights Watch Committee (HornWatch) is gravely concerned about the continuation of denying access to medical treatment for prisoner Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi in Somaliland. According to the direct statement he told to one human rights researcher visited him in Hargeisa Central Prison yesterday, he was subjected to severe

The illegal detainee Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi is very sick and vulnerable old man in need of urgent medical help. In his desperation and despair. He suffered years of inhuman and mistreatment. The treatment of Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi by the Somaliland Prison fails to meet international standards and constitutes torture. It is even more dismally inadequate given the special responsibilities of prisons to inmates suffering from chronic illness.

HornWatch is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of the illegal detainee Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi.

HornWatch calls on the Somaliland government to guarantee his physical and psychological integrity at all times, to ensure that the illegal detainee Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi be permitted with the urgent necessary medical help he badly needs.

HornWatch also urges the authorities to bring him before the competent judiciary with valid legal charges that are in line with international law, and to ensure that he receives a prompt and fair trial otherwise the authorities should order his immediate release from the jail.

HornWatch also calls upon the Somaliland government to investigate these allegations of torture, to punish the perpetrators, and to ensure that the illegal detainee Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi receives appropriate reparation.

According to the information obtained by the detainee Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi, he now suffers from severe sickness. He has been waiting for medical help including a surgery operation for over a year and have but the authorities have delayed his treatment for unknown reasons, his family suspects that the delay is intentional. He also suffers from high blood pressure, a spinal disc problem, backbone pain and problems.

The Horn of Africa Human Rights Watch Committee holds the Somaliland government responsible for the life of Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi and his physical and psychological well-being.

The prison’s treatment of Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi violates international standards in numerous respects. Under international law prisoners have the following rights:

 Treatment of prisoners with respect due to their inherent dignity and value as human beings. They should be supported to develop self-respect and self-responsibility (Article 1 of the Basic Principles for the Treatment of Prisoners, Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 65 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, Principle 1 of the Body of Principles for the Protection of all Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment)

 Reformation and social rehabilitation should be the essential aim of the treatment of prisoners. Prisoners should have their individual treatment needs addressed by all available and appropriate remedial, educational, moral and spiritual forms of assistance (Article 10 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 59 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners)

 Prisoners must not be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This includes the holding of a prisoner in conditions which deprive her of the use of any of her natural senses. (Article 7 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 31 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, Principle 6 of the Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment)

 Prisoners are to have access to facilities and materials to maintain “a good appearance compatible with self-respect” (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights)

 Prisoners should be allowed to receive visits from family and friends (Article 37 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, Principle 19 of the Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment)

 Prisoners should be regularly informed of important news items (Article 39 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners)

 Prison staff should be intelligent, well trained and educated, professional, have a social service orientation and be given reasonable remuneration and security of tenure (Articles 46, 47 and 48 of the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners)

 Prisoners should have access to effective remedy where their rights are violated, including by a person acting in an official capacity (Article 2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Principle 33 of the Body of Principles for the Protection of All Persons Under Any Form of Detention or Imprisonment)

Suleiman Ismail Bolaleh

Chairman

Horn of Africa Human Rights Watch Committee (HornWatch)

Please Send an Appeal Letters:

1) To the Somaliland President, Costodial Crops and Minister of Interior:

The HornWatch calls on the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, the European Union and all close allies and international institutions put pressure on Somaliland government:

 Call to Somaliland government to guarantee his physical and psychological integrity at all times, to ensure that the illegal detainee Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi be permitted with the urgent necessary medical help he badly needs.

 Urge the Somaliland government to bring the illegaldetanee Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi and other four colleagues detained in Mandheera Prison before the competent judiciary with valid legal charges that are in line with international law, and to ensure that he receives a prompt and fair trial otherwise the authorities should order his immediate release from the jail.

 Call upon the Somaliland government to investigate these allegations of torture, ill-treatment and inhuman suffered by Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi during his imprisonment in Somaliland Jails and prosecute all officials involved in his torture to punish the perpetrators, and to ensure that the illegal detainee Mohamed Aw Abdi Abdilahi and other tortured prisoners receives appropriate reparation.